Scientific Name
Synodus saurus

Common Name
Atlantic lizardfish

Biology
Primarily in insular waters (Ref. 4964), on sand and sand-rock bottoms (Ref. 6808). Feeds mainly on other fishes, but may also prey on other animals (Ref. 12382).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Grinners (Aulopiformes)

Family

Lizardfishes (Synodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Atlantic

Distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to Cape Verde, including Azores and the Mediterranean. Western Atlantic: Bermuda and the Bahamas to the Lesser Antilles (Leeward Islands).

Range

45°N - 14°N, 80°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

400 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 400 m (Ref. 4472), usually ? - 20 m (Ref. 4472)

Trophic Level

4.49 s.e. 0.80 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

40.0 cm

Common Length

20.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (31 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)